Important dates to remember.

October 2005 Watch the mail for the Medicare & You 2006 handbook and

information from insurance and other private companies about 

the prescription drug plans they offer.

November 15, 2005 First day you can join a plan.

January 1, 2006 Coverage begins for those who join by December 31, 2005.

May 15, 2006 Last day to join a plan without paying a higher premium later.

CLIP AND SAVE, OR STICK IT ON YOUR FRIDGE:

CMS Pub. No. 11160
Starting January 1, 2006, Medicare 

will help pay for prescription drugs.

It’s the biggest improvement in health care for seniors and Americans with 

disabilities since Medicare began 40 years ago. For the first time ever,

Medicare will help pay for the prescription drugs we need to stay healthy.

Everyone with Medicare is eligible for this coverage, regardless of income

and resources, health status or current prescription expenses.

How much will Medicare pay for? For an average monthly premium of about $32, you get 

two levels of coverage: standard and catastrophic. After a $250 deductible, Medicare pays 75% of 

the cost of covered drugs until yearly costs reach $2,250. When yearly

out-of-pocket prescription costs exceed $3,600 — which often happens

in the event of serious health problems such as heart disease and cancer —

catastrophic coverage takes effect and Medicare pays up to 95% of drug

charges for the rest of the year. Many plans will offer more coverage,

smaller deductibles or premiums lower than $32. Most people with limited

income and resources will pay only a few dollars for each prescription.
Questions? Need more information? 

Medicare is here to help.

There are many ways you can get helpful information and

answers to your questions about drug plans in your area.

In person, in your community.

Medicare is working in communities across the country to ensure you will have

access to information about this new benefit. You can also receive free, personalized

assistance in comparing plan choices from your State Health Insurance Assistance Program. 

On the Web.

Starting October 13, 2005, a new, easy-to-use comparison tool will be available on www.medicare.gov.

You can use this tool to compare plans based upon your needs.

Over the phone.

Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to talk to a Medicare representative, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.
4 things to think and talk about when choosing 

a Medicare prescription drug plan.

Every person with Medicare has two choices: You can join a Medicare Prescription

Drug Plan that covers prescription drugs only and keep your Original Medicare

coverage. Or you can join a Medicare Advantage Plan or other Medicare Health

Plan that covers doctor and hospital care as well as prescriptions. If you are a

retiree with prescription drug coverage, look for information from your former

employer or union this fall about how they will work with Medicare and what 

you should do. The following discussion points will help guide your decision.

Medicare prescription drug coverage is insurance that covers both brand-name and

generic prescription drugs at participating pharmacies in your area. Each plan has

to provide access to medically necessary prescription drugs. Compare plans on how

they meet your needs.

1Coverage.
4 things to think and talk about when choosing 

a Medicare prescription drug plan.

Every person with Medicare has two choices: You can join a Medicare Prescription

Drug Plan that covers prescription drugs only and keep your Original Medicare

coverage. Or you can join a Medicare Advantage Plan or other Medicare Health

Plan that covers doctor and hospital care as well as prescriptions. If you are a

retiree with prescription drug coverage, look for information from your former

employer or union this fall about how they will work with Medicare and what 

you should do. The following discussion points will help guide your decision.

Medicare prescription drug coverage is insurance that covers both brand-name and

generic prescription drugs at participating pharmacies in your area. Each plan has

to provide access to medically necessary prescription drugs. Compare plans on how

they meet your needs.

1Coverage.
Questions? Need more information? 

Medicare is here to help.

There are many ways you can get helpful information and

answers to your questions about drug plans in your area.

In person, in your community.

Medicare is working in communities across the country to ensure you will have

access to information about this new benefit. You can also receive free, personalized

assistance in comparing plan choices from your State Health Insurance Assistance Program. 

On the Web.

Starting October 13, 2005, a new, easy-to-use comparison tool will be available on www.medicare.gov.

You can use this tool to compare plans based upon your needs.

Over the phone.

Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to talk to a Medicare representative, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.
Starting January 1, 2006, Medicare 

will help pay for prescription drugs.

It’s the biggest improvement in health care for seniors and Americans with 

disabilities since Medicare began 40 years ago. For the first time ever,

Medicare will help pay for the prescription drugs we need to stay healthy.

Everyone with Medicare is eligible for this coverage, regardless of income

and resources, health status or current prescription expenses.

How much will Medicare pay for? For an average monthly premium of about $32, you get 

two levels of coverage: standard and catastrophic. After a $250 deductible, Medicare pays 75% of 

the cost of covered drugs until yearly costs reach $2,250. When yearly

out-of-pocket prescription costs exceed $3,600 — which often happens

in the event of serious health problems such as heart disease and cancer —

catastrophic coverage takes effect and Medicare pays up to 95% of drug

charges for the rest of the year. Many plans will offer more coverage,

smaller deductibles or premiums lower than $32. Most people with limited

income and resources will pay only a few dollars for each prescription.
Important dates to remember.

October 2005 Watch the mail for the Medicare & You 2006 handbook and

information from insurance and other private companies about 

the prescription drug plans they offer.

November 15, 2005 First day you can join a plan.

January 1, 2006 Coverage begins for those who join by December 31, 2005.

May 15, 2006 Last day to join a plan without paying a higher premium later.

CLIP AND SAVE, OR STICK IT ON YOUR FRIDGE:

CMS Pub. No. 11160